Henry VIII. to Anne Boleyn.
[ late 1528? ]
The cause of my writing at this time, good sweetheart, is only to understand of your good health and prosperity;
whereof to know I would be as glad as in manner mine own, praying God that (an it be His pleasure) to send us
shortly together, for I promise you I long for it. How be it, I trust it shall not be long to; and seeing my
darling is absent, I can do no less than to send her some flesh, representing my name, which is hart flesh1
for Henry, prognosticating that hereafter, God willing, you may enjoy some of mine, which He pleased, I would were now.
As touching your sister's matter,2 I have caused Walter Welze3 to write to my lord4
my mind therein, whereby I trust that Eve shall not have power to deceive Adam; for surely, whatsoever is said,
it cannot so stand with his honour but that he must needs take her, his natural daughter, now in her extreme
necessity.
No more to you at this time, mine own darling, but that with a wish I would we were together an evening.
With the hand of yours,
H.R.
[AJ Notes:
1. hart flesh = venison, with a play on 'heart'.
2. Anne's sister Mary Boleyn was left destitute when her husband, William Carey, died
of the sweating sickness on June 22, 1528. His death is recounted in the letter
of the French ambassador on June 30, 1528.
3. Sir Walter Walsh (also referred to at times as Walter Welsh), a Groom of the Privy Chamber.
4. Anne and Mary's father, Thomas Boleyn, Lord Rochford.]
|
King Henry VIII of England
